Well, I've been dying for a decent break from work so I've taken the plunge and booked some flights and accommodation to Cairns for 3 days Fri/Sat/Sun, arriving early tomorrow morning and leaving Sunday night. If it crosses where it's currently forecast to heavy rain and flooding will be the main concern around Cairns? Obviously things change if the JTWC scenario comes off. Either way, I'm on the top floor of a beach side hotel at Trinity Beach with an ocean view, above the tree line... so I'll have a great view! If Ita did come down the coast as a cat 4 I think I'd high tail it inland - suspect there'd be a forced evacuation anyway? If it crosses just a little further south than currently forecast, say around Cooktown, Cairns should get quite a blast with the major destruction closer to the core.

Hi. I hope everyone in the path of TC Ita stays safe. Brisbane radio is saying she may be a Cat 5 on landfall. That was before the last lot of Tech notes came out. Also expect the premier CN up in NQ. He wants to be where he can help the most.

Hello everyone,Been 'lurking' around the forums for a few years now & thought it was about time I got the courage to write my first post! In a nutshell, hubby & I emigrated from Uk & lived in SA for a while before making the move to this beautiful part of Australia in Nov 2010. We had already signed a contract on our new home when cyclone Yasi hit in 2011!! It didn't deter us & my obsession with the weather started with Yasi. We live in East Feluga near Tully.I love reading your informative posts and hope in some way I can learn & contribute.Anyway, came off night shift at 7am but stayed up to wait for 11am BOM update!!!! Stay safe everyone x

I agree totally, Sbv72. This guy loves weather and is concerned for us living in NORTH EAST AUSTRALIA. Good on him, just remember to laugh with him not at him.Popeye's comment earlier had me ROFL, nearly wet myself.It takes all types, and its the 'Normal' ones you gotta watch!

My Mum, who is up here visiting from Innisfail, just come back from Redlynch Woolworths and said the shelves are pretty bare - not a candle or slab of water to be seen. We were pretty organised here at home anyway, but obviously some are taking this serious enough.Stay safe everyone!

Severe Tropical Cyclone Ita poses a significant threat to communities along thefar north Queensland coast and at this stage it is expected to approach thecoast between Cape Sidmouth and Cooktown and make landfall late on Friday as aSEVERE CATEGORY 4 TROPICAL CYCLONE with VERY DESTRUCTIVE WINDS near the coreand GALES extending some distance from the landfall location.

GALES currently extend 220 kilometres out from the centre and may developbetween Cape Grenville and Port Douglas late tonight or early on Friday.

GALES may extend southward to Innisfail and inland to areas such as Kalinga,Palmerville, Laura, and Chillagoe late on Friday as the system moves closer tothe coast and over land.

Coastal residents between Cape Sidmouth and Cape Tribulation are specificallywarned of the dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast. The sea islikely to rise steadily up to a level which will be significantly above thenormal tide, with damaging waves, strong currents and flooding of low-lyingareas extending some way inland. People living in areas likely to be affectedby this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much aspossible and be prepared to follow instructions regarding evacuation of thearea if advised to do so by the authorities.

Very heavy rain, which may lead to flash flooding, is expected to develop aboutparts of the Peninsula and North Tropical Coast and Tablelands districts latetoday and persist into the weekend.

This warning is also available through TV and Radio Broadcasts; the Bureau'swebsite at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 212. The Bureau and the StateEmergency Service would appreciate this warning being broadcast regularly.